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The Face of Birth: a film about pregnancy, childbirth and the power of choice

Noni Hazelhurst delivered both of her sons at home. She is featured in the new birth documentary Face of Birth.

"For some reason the safer the childbirth experience becomes, there is almost a hand-in-hand and exaggerated fear of going wrong". That's the view of Andrew Bisits, Director of the Birthing Unit at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney, who is featured in the 2012 full-length feature film Face of Birth.

Why are so many women frightened of birth? And does that fear lead to more complications during labour? These are ideas in the documentary,which was filmed over three years and around the world. It includes interviews with leading birth experts including Sheila Kitzinger, Michel Odent and local supporters of homebirth such as actress Noni Hazelhurst.

While the film does focus on homebirth, the film explores the links between choice and safety, and exposes the hidden costs, and broader social consequences of rising rates of intervention.

Essential Baby has been given a 20-minute excerpt of the film to share with our readers. You can watch it below or purchase the full film here.

First Apple and Facebook announced they would pay $20,000 towards the cost of their female employees freezing their eggs, now IBM in the US has come up with an innovative new policy aimed at retaining female employees.